Mice can cause quite a bit of damage
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The question is not about one little mouse; it is about a group of mice living within your home or garage. Mice are nocturnal, so if you see them during the day, it could mean the preferred hiding places are full, and they are out and about looking for a new home within your home. Part of their search can include damaging your home’s structure to gain access and open entry pathways for other mice. Mice can chew through:
- Insulation
- Power lines
- Pipes and plumbing access points
- Rubber
- Drywall
- Weatherstripping
- Screens
- Rotting, weakened wooded window and door frames
Excessive damage can weaken the structure of your home and create a potential for fire with exposed wiring.
Listen to your dog
Mice hide inside your home in places that provide shelter to them and their babies. Many times, customers will tell us they were alerted to a problem by their dog. While the family is sleeping, your dog is alert to sounds and noises in the house. One customer told us that their dog never barks, and in the middle of the night, two nights in a row, the dog barked. They called our office to schedule a technician to take a look in the attic- we found mice!
Mice are notorious for hiding near your food sources, such as a kitchen, or in areas where the family eats and leaves behind a few crumbs, such as a family room or bedroom.
- Inside kitchen cabinets
- Behind kitchen appliances with access in and out
- In kitchen drawers where they can access packages of food that they can chew through and open
- Under furniture in rooms not frequently used, such as basement playrooms, spare rooms, or storage rooms
- Inside cardboard boxes in the basement, garage, or attic
Is there just a (single) mouse in the house?
Most likely not; however, according to BobVila.com, it can happen:
On average, most mouse sightings indicate a more significant infestation, so having a solitary mouse in your home is pretty rare. However, this may be the case if the weather was particularly cold several days prior and there have only been a few mouse droppings. The mouse may have somehow wandered inside looking for food or shelter or was fleeing a pursuing predator.
Keep in mind that mice can have litters up to 10 times a year so that one mouse can turn into many quite quickly if even just one more entered the home with it. It’s best to keep an eye out for signs of a larger infestation.
What can I do to keep mice out of my house?
Mouse
In a previous post, we shared a list of tips from the National Pest Management Association. Below is a complete and thorough list of things every homeowner can do to help keep their home safe and healthy.
Fortunately, there are many ways homeowners can proactively prevent and get rid of rodent infestations in their homes:
- Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screens.
- Inspect screen vents and openings to chimneys.
- Seal cracks and holes, including areas where utilities and pipes enter the home. Use caulk, steel wool, or a combination of both.
- Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly.
- Keep attics, basements, and crawl spaces ventilated and dry.
- Replace loose mortar & weather stripping around basement foundation and windows.
- Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains. They are a host and breeding site for pests.
- Inspect all items brought into your home, especially from big box stores.
Lastly, ensure after the mice are caught and removed, you thoroughly clean and disinfect all areas. Illness, disease, and viruses will remain long after that little mouse is gone. Never vacuum mouse droppings or infested materials. Always wear gloves and properly dispose of the cleanup in an outdoor garbage receptacle.
Winter is on the horizon; keep mice out of your home.
Please don’t make it easy for mice to take up residence in your home. Contact us for mice removal and prevention service in:
The Capital District and the Adirondacks including Albany County, Columbia County, Fulton County, Green County, Montgomery County, Rensselaer County, Saratoga County, Schenectady County, Warren County, Washington County.
resources: https://www.pestworld.org/
